Medicine Reforms Benefit Tasmanian Hospital Patients

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6 January 2011

Tasmanians prescribed lengthy courses of medicines at public hospitals will now be able to receive up to a month’s supply without the need for a separate trip to a GP.

The change is part of the Pharmaceutical Reform Agreement between the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments, announced today by the Australian Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and the Tasmanian Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne.

Under the reforms, patients will receive a full course of medication—up to one month’s supply—when discharged from a public hospital or as an outpatient. Prescriptions can be dispensed by the public hospital pharmacy or the patient's local community pharmacy providing greater choice and convenience for the patient.

At present, hospital pharmacies typically only issue enough of a prescribed medicine to last for three to seven days, forcing many patients to visit a GP and then a pharmacist for a new supply.

Ms Roxon said the agreement was another step towards a national health system which was focussed on patient needs.

“Patients will be able to easily access the medicines they need, rather than facing inconvenience because of artificial barriers and cost shifting between the Commonwealth and the states,” Ms Roxon said.

“The reform agreement also acknowledges the important role of pharmacists in our health system, which will be enhanced and supported by the broader national reforms which are now under way,”

As part of the Pharmacy Reform Agreement, the Tasmanian Government has also agreed to employ an extra 27 pharmacists in public hospitals over the next three years.

The Commonwealth has offered Pharmacy Reform Agreements to all states and territories, to reduce cost shifting within the health system and improve the quality use of medicines. To date, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and now Tasmania have all signed agreements to implement the new arrangements in their public hospitals

For more information, contact Ms Roxon’s Office: (02) 6277 7220